Objective – I can explain that the appearance of the Moon changes in a predictable pattern as it orbits Earth.

Identifying Phases of the Moon Worksheet – Part I

A.Waxing Crescent – A little part of the moon’s right side is lit.
B.Full Moon - The moon's entire disk is lit because the Earth is between the sun and the moon.
C.Gibbous Waxing – About ¾th of the right side moon's disk is lit.
D.1st Quarter – The right half of the moon's disk is lit.
E.Waxing– Getting larger. / F.New Moon – The moon's disk facing us is dark because the moon is between the sun and the Earth.
G.Last/3rd Quarter – The left half of the moon's disk is lit.
H.Waning Crescent – A little part of the moon’s left side is lit.
I.Gibbous Waning – About ¾th of the left side moon's disk is lit.
J.Waning – Getting smaller.

Identify each phase of the Moon. Using the table, enter the letter that identifies the correct phase. A solid line means the Moon is in sunlight. Dotted lines mean that part of the Moon is in darkness.

A. Waxing Crescent – when we can see only a sliver of the moon's disk (right-hand side).
B. Full Moon – when the moon's disk is light because the Earth is between the sun and the moon
C. Gibbous Waxing – when we can see roughly three-quarters of the moon's disk (the right side of the moon is lit).
D. First Quarter – can see one half of the moon's disk (at First Quarter, you see the right half of the moon lit [this one-quarter of the entire moon's surface]). / E. New Moon – when the moon's disk is dark (and invisible to us) because the moon is between the sun and the Earth
F. Last/3rd Quarter – can see one half of the moon's disk (at Last/3rd Quarter, you see the left half of the moon lit [this one-quarter of the entire moon's surface]).
G. Gibbous Waning – when we can see roughly three-quarters of the moon's disk (the left side of the moon is lit).
H. Waning Crescent – when we can see only a sliver of the moon's disk (left-hand side).
Using the table above, write the letter that identifies the phase.
11. / 14. / 17.
12. / 15. / 18.
13. / 16.

Scoring Guide

95-100% - 4
90-94% - 3.5
85-89% - 3
80-84% - 2.5 / 75-79% - 2
70-74% - 1.5
65-69% - 1
1-64% - .5

Identifying Phases of the Moon Worksheet – Part I – Key I

A.Waxing Crescent – A little part of the moon’s right side is lit.
B.Full Moon - The moon's entire disk is lit because the Earth is between the sun and the moon.
C.Gibbous Waxing – About ¾th of the right side moon's disk is lit.
D.1st Quarter – The right half of the moon's disk is lit.
E.Waxing– Getting larger. / F.New Moon – The moon's disk facing us is dark because the moon is between the sun and the Earth.
G.Last/3rd Quarter – The left half of the moon's disk is lit.
H.Waning Crescent – A little part of the moon’s left side is lit.
I.Gibbous Waning – About ¾th of the left side moon's disk is lit.
J.Waning – Getting smaller.

Identify each phase of the Moon. Using the table, enter the letter that identifies the correct phase. A solid line means the Moon is in sunlight. Dotted lines mean that part of the Moon is in darkness.

A. Waxing Crescent – when we can see only a sliver of the moon's disk (right-hand side).
B. Full Moon – when the moon's disk is light because the Earth is between the sun and the moon
C. Gibbous Waxing – when we can see roughly three-quarters of the moon's disk (the right side of the moon is lit).
D. First Quarter – can see one half of the moon's disk (at First Quarter, you see the right half of the moon lit [this one-quarter of the entire moon's surface]). / E. New Moon – when the moon's disk is dark (and invisible to us) because the moon is between the sun and the Earth
F. Last/3rd Quarter – can see one half of the moon's disk (at Last/3rd Quarter, you see the left half of the moon lit [this one-quarter of the entire moon's surface]).
G. Gibbous Waning – when we can see roughly three-quarters of the moon's disk (the left side of the moon is lit).
H. Waning Crescent – when we can see only a sliver of the moon's disk (left-hand side).
Using the table above, write the letter that identifies the phase.
11. G / 14. A / 17. B
12. E / 15. H / 18. C
13. F / 16. D

Identifying Phases of the Moon Worksheet – Part I – Key II

1. B (10 choices)

2. H (10 choices)

3. G (10 choices)

4. H (10 choices)

5. F (10 choices)

6. A (10 choices)

7. D (10 choices)

8. C (10 choices)

9. J (10 choices)

10. E (10 choices)

11. G (8 choices)

12. E (8 choices)

13. F (8 choices)

14. F (8 choices)

15. H (8 choices)

16. D (8 choices)

17. B (8 choices)

18. C (8 choices)

Identifying Phases of the Moon Worksheet

Scoring Guide

17-18 – 4
16 – 3.5
15 – 3
14 – 2.5
13 – 2
12 – 1.5
11 – 1
1-10 – .5
0 – 0 / 95-100% - 4
90-94% - 3.5
85-89% - 3
80-84% - 2.5
75-79% - 2
70-74% - 1.5
65-69% - 1
1-64% - .5

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